Holiday Stain Removal

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Each year with all the hustle and bustle of holiday parties, there are always a few bumps and spills. From red wine on the carpet to chocolate candies on the kids’ dress clothes, stains are inevitable. This year, don’t sweat the small stuff—let us show you the easiest ways to get rid of those tough stains so you can get back to enjoying the friends, family, and food.

Red Wine

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Red wine is a holiday favorite among many, but unfortunately, it’s not very forgiving on a white blouse or tablecloth. The best way to get rid of red wine stains is to work quickly—once the spill happens, try to soak up as much of the wine as possible with a clean cloth. Then rinse the area from the back of the stain to push it back through the fabric. Drape the fabric over an empty bowl or lay it flat in a sink, and dissolve a 4-in-1 Stain Fighting Booster Pac (chlorine-free and color-safe!) directly on top of the stain. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

White Wine

Thankfully, white wine is a little bit easier on our clothes. If anyone spills his or hers, just blot with a damp cloth as soon as possible until the stain is no longer visible. Then wash the fabric as normal with a stain-fighting detergent!

Chocolate

With all the cakes, cookies, and candies around at holiday parties, it’s nearly impossible to keep all of that gooey chocolate off of your clothes. It may seem counterintuitive, but stain removal is actually easier if you allow any clumps of the chocolate to harden first. This way, you reduce the risk of spreading the stain. Once it’s hardened, scrape as much off the fabric as possible with a dull knife or spoon. Next, rinse the area from the back with cool water. Then let the fabric soak in a solution of warm water and an Oxi-Booster Pac to knock out the rest of the stain. Lastly, wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric along with your regular detergent.

Candle Wax

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Spilled candle wax on your favorite table runner? No problem! Removing the wax can seem like a daunting task, but it can be really simple with just a few handy tricks! Once the wax has hardened, scrape off as much as possible with a dull knife. Then place a paper bag on top of the leftover wax and iron the bag on a low setting. This will heat up the wax enough to allow it to adhere to the bag instead of the fabric. Pretty neat! Once all of the wax is transferred to the bag, you can just wash the fabric normally with a gentle detergent.

Bonus Tip: You can use this method with crayons as well! So when the kids color a little too far outside the lines of those holiday coloring books, you can stay worry-free.

Gravy

Gravy stains can be tricky because the oil content can easily leave behind nasty marks on your favorite garments. However, applying a small amount of dish soap to the stained area can help break down the oil, lifting the stain out. Just use a few drops of soap and gently rub the area with a damp cloth. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, and then wash the fabric in hot water with a stain-fighting detergent and an oxi-booster.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries are the ultimate festive food—from delicious homemade sauce to yummy dessert bars, these bright berries bring some holiday cheer to every dish. However, their bright hue can make for some pretty heavy-duty stains once the meal is over. To remove these tough stains, first rinse the area from the back of the stain with cold water. For set-in stains on white fabrics, try applying a hydrogen peroxide and water solution for a mild bleaching effect and to loosen the stain. Then pretreat with a 4-in-1 Booster Pac by dissolving it directly on top of the stain and letting it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Lastly, wash the fabric as normally with your regular detergent.

Coffee

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Coffee is the go-to after-dinner drink for most, but it can be the ultimate demise of your favorite winter whites. To get rid of these stains, it’s important to soak up as much excess liquid as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel first. Then apply a mixture of 3 parts warm water and 1 part white vinegar to the area and scrub gently with a soft bristled brush like a clean, unused toothbrush or a spotting brush until the stain fades away. Wash the fabric in warm water with your regular detergent and an oxi-booster to remove any remainders of the stain.